The basic herds are surrounded by subherds of subordinate males, high-ranking males and females and old or invalid animals.

For mates of high-ranking males, however, a loss comes as something of a shock.

That high-ranking male theoretically is endowed with better genes than the female's usual companion, and thus could offer a desirable bit of genetic strength for her offspring.

In the Chamorro language of ancient Guam, he would have had the title maga'lahi as a high-ranking male.

Goliath remained a high-ranking male for several more years, but fell in rank as he aged.

As the elder maga'lahi, or high-ranking male, he could make important decisions with the consent of the highest ranking women, maga'hagas, in his clan.

Other males, high-ranking by virtue of their closeness to Hogmm--but none so close as Fralk!

The first is that high-ranking males mate with high-ranking females.

Subordinate males have far less copulations with females compared to the high-ranking males.

Conflicts between high-ranking males are more often resolved with posturing and vocalizing than with physical contact.